Justin Watson

Radio Host/Board Operator

Skills

Leadership

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

JAZZ, THE MUSIC OF INTERCULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

Working at a full-time radio station has been one of my most cherished accomplishments.I’ve always wanted to become a radio personality and in July of 2011, I was given an opportunity to fulfill my dream.KSDS, Jazz88.3 is a non-profit organization which is a part of the San Diego City College Foundation. We (KSDS) are a full-time Jazz radio station and are licensed to the San Diego Community College District. The joy I receive broadcasting to thousands of listeners is unreal. Not only do I speak to local and national listeners, I also broadcast internationally via our smartphone application and through our website.

My co-workers are very unique and interesting to say. However, within our cultural organization, we have co-cultures that exist and often require Communication Competence. With over 40 DJ’s of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds and different genders, balancing effectiveness and appropriateness through interaction and particular situations is required. I find it absolutely essential to practice efficient intercultural communications theories.My ability to maintain a positive identity with my co-workers, managers, and bosses will rely on my intercultural communication competence.

As defined, intercultural competence is one’s effectiveness and appropriateness when communicating and those two phases of intercultural communication competence can negatively hinder my future growth within my organization if I don't apply these theories. For example, we are currently going through a shift in our chain of command. We do not know who our station manager will be. This is the top position in our organization and if I’m not able to effectively communicate in an appropriate manner with my new station manager, I may be out of a full-time position.

Furthermore, we have low power distances where my co-worker relationships are a bit more intimate, juxtapose to high power distances where one would have to display empathy and appreciation towards their co-workers and employers. This also may be a hindrance due to the fact that individuals carry cultural assumptions with them into different conversations and when you combine intimate relationships with intercultural incompetence, you have a breakdown in effective communication. In addition to intercultural competence and low power distances negatively affecting my future career, we have a huge international community of listeners here in San Diego and throughout the world that I have to communicate with. I have to be very careful as to not let my “American” cultural assumptions permeate through my conversations.

One particular work day, I had a communication breakdown with one of my co-workers. Being that I am the youngest of all my co-workers, I have a hard time effectively communicating due to my already ‘hip’ lingo. This particular day, my shift at Midnight was almost over and my relief had come in earlier than expected. Keep in mind that I've never met this co-worker because I'm usually out the door before their shift starts.When I finally see my co-worker, I gave a simple salutation by saying, "What’s good?" To my surprise, I didn't get a response and so finally I just said, "hello." Those were the only words we spoke to each other and I ended my shift and left. I thought about our interaction because after all, we were co-workers and being the younger jock, I wanted to make a good impression.

Furthermore, our primary goal as communicators should be to minimize uncertainties that we have about the world. Those uncertainties bring an unpleasant feeling. This is called Uncertainty Reduction Theory. All I could think about over the next few days was our awkward, brief encounter. Fast forward a couple more days and I'm back at work ready to end my shift. This time I knew that I would be seeing the same co-worker again and that feeling of uncertainty crept inside of me. According to Berger and Calabrese, URT explains and predicts when, why, and how individuals use communication to minimize their doubts when interacting with others. This is exactly what I felt. The anticipation of future interactions with this coworker, ate at me. All I wanted to do was make a good impression but how did I end up trying to win this person’s friendship and why.

The answer can be explained through 8 axioms that researchers have established. Every day I crossed paths with my co-worker I said something other than hello. And every day my uncertainty was reduced. This is because verbal communication reduces uncertainty. I also began to ask intimate questions and seek information about my co-worker. According to URT, the greater the uncertainty, the more information-seeking behaviors arise. High uncertainty leads to more reciprocal communication strategies and I found myself making small talk and saying lighthearted jokes and as uncertainty began to decrease, liking increased.

However, it is important that I remain reasonable and rational because relationship management is key when working with co-workers. Not everyone is going to like you and not everything will go your way. Despite the differences, I think the most important thing is to have cultural awareness or in other words; know that I’m surrounded by people of different cultures. This is why the Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) helped me understand my relationships with my co-workers. I found it to be most useful when applying it to my interaction with my co-worker. This is more evident during interpersonal communication with new relationships.

Much of my social interaction was goal driven and with that interaction, I began to communicate with a purpose or reason. Learning different theories, especially URT has provided an avenue for me to improve my intercultural communications with my co-worker. Effective communication is an essential necessity in the world of Jazz. Intercultural communication is the purpose of sharing ourselves with other people and to participate in creating some sort of shared meaning. The entire process is very important to ensure the message you're trying to convey is received. As an on air personality, there are certain rules that I must adhere to including government laws and regulations by the FCC that, if I fail to abide by, I can get fined for.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Work experience

Jul 2011Present

Radio Host

KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM

Host Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 12am to 2am as a Live on-air voice personality.

Aug 2006May 2010

Board Operator

San Diego Community College District

Audio Console Board Operator for television program called News Scene which is an award winning student newscast that airs on public access television weekly.

Oct 2003Mar 2008

Foreman

Asplundh Tree Expert Co

Tree Feller, climber and line clearance worker in regards to trimming trees away from utility lines for San Diego Gas & Electric. Responsible for truck, tools, & equipment. Also ran a two-man crew.

Feb 2001Apr 2003

Key Materials Handler

Sony Technologies

Key material handler which involves direct contact with floor supervisors. Responsible for safe material handling and stocking of production line materials. Shipping & receiving of goods. Assisted in training new employees.

Education

Jul 2014May 2016

Bachelors Degree

National University

Strategic Communications

Aug 2010May 2014

Associates Degree

San Diego Community College

Radio and Television Communications

Portfolio

News Broadcast Video Reel - Radio Production Video Reel

News Anchor/Television host

Radio Host/Music Producer

Business Report: Radio/Television Program Director

ABSTRACT

As communication majors, our field relates to all the various ways we communicate in this world, so we embrace knowledge and all the teachings of past guru’s. The information we learn incorporates both verbal and nonverbal messages. As defined by the National Communication Association, The field of communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication.) There are communication scholars and professionals that develop a keen sense of understanding of a defined field of study. A communication major can choose from various career paths.From Vice-president of Human Resources in business organizations to Creative Director in Advertising, our field is more than just Multimedia.

INTRODUCTION

Television and Radio Broadcast is a field of study I choose to dedicate my time. I’ve researched data from various accredited sources and put together this business report to summarize the job market in the area I’m seeking work. It will cover the different types of organizations that hire communications professionals, the various relevant departments and therequired knowledge, experience, and skills it takes. This report will include job descriptions and salary levels of my field of choice. Radio and Television Broadcasting is one of Communications’ most coveted fields of choice for Communication Majors.

NATIONAL ESTIMATES

The Program Director manages and schedules station programming and oversees the station’s various departments and staff. Most Program Directors are referred to as the “PD” and the average annual earnings are about $43,000. General earnings range from $27,000 to $100,000 plus. According to the occupational employment statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, PD’s either produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. They’re also responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guest, set design, sound, special effects and choreography.Likewise, Program Directors in radio broadcast are in charge of the sound of the radio station. They manage the station’s programming and oversee the different departments and staff at the station to ensure that the station always sounds its best and suits the needs of its listeners. The national estimate for employed or actually working Program Directors are at about 97,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; those numbers are rising with each year. Industries with the highest employment and wages for PD’s are primarily the motion picture and video industries. According to the same labor statistics from 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor reported about 34,000 movie and video directors and about 25,000 radio and television directors. Movie and video directors still ranks as the top paid occupation for PD’s.

INDUSTRY PROFILE

Furthermore, among states the employ the most PD’s within the Radio and Television Broadcast industries, California tops the hiring list at about 24,000 with an annual mean wage of $126,000; followed by New York at $112,000, Florida at $75,000 and finally, Texas and Georgia at $61,000 to round out the top five states.Program Directors almost always have an educational background in Communications or Broadcasting (Radio or TV). This can be gained through a combination of work experience (such as getting involved at a campus radio station) and through academic training. To be successful, a Program Director must have “great communication skills. You have to know the music, know how to go find it, research and read Arbitron reports; a ratings system, which now falls under the umbrella of Nielsen.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, The National Association of Broadcasters is by far the biggest professional group for radio broadcast employees and many states have their own unions, groups, and associations that continue to improve the industry. Program Director is one of the highest ranking positions at a radio station, years of experience across departments is important.Although the position of Program Director is technically a 9-5 style job, most PDs find themselves working longer and harder due to the many different hats they wear and the responsibility they carry. Career advancement as a Program Director would either mean getting hired by a bigger, more prestigious station, earning a higher salary, or moving into a position as a Station Manager.